Kent Housing Group Excellence Awards celebrate the best of the best
Teams and individuals working in the housing sector across the county have enjoyed success in the Kent Housing Group (KHG) Excellence Awards.
The annual awards – the Oscars for our regional housing sector – celebrate the very best projects, professionals and partnerships across housing in Kent and Medway.
“Our members share a passion for housing delivery. It’s not just a job – it’s the reason we strain every sinew to ensure we serve the people and places in our great county,” said KHG Chair Brian Horton as he addressed an audience of more than 100 housing professionals who gathered at the awards ceremony at Eastgate in Northfleet this week.
“Once again, the judges have been touched by the passion and purpose behind the vital contributions colleagues in housing are making in Kent and Medway. The innovation and the vision that are demonstrated illustrate the caring side of housing and the drive we have to make a difference.
“Our housing sector faces considerable challenges but seeing so many success stories gives us enthusiasm for the art of the possible and enables us all to go back to the day job inspired by what we have seen and heard here.”
The winners were announced at an awards ceremony hosted by KHG Executive Board member Becs Wilcox. The Group is thankful for sponsorship from Southern Housing, South East Consortium (SEC) and CMSG React.
Brian Horton presented a KHG Chair’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Ashley Hook, who recently retired after 16 years as Chief Executive of mhs homes.
In addition, Kent Housing Group’s Helen Miller was presented with the KHG Chair’s Award, while the Chair himself, Brian Horton – who describes himself as a “housing enthusiast” – was the recipient of the KHG Board’s Special Recognition Award.
Presenting the award to Brian, Ashford Borough Council Chief Executive Tracey Kerly said: “Brian is one of the kindest, most committed people I have met in my professional career. He is the most deserving winner in the world of housing today, with such a broad knowledge and understanding of the complexities of working across the huge range of work required in housing.”
Category winners and highly commended
KHG Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by Brian Horton, KHG Chair and sponsor of the category.
Winner: Ashley Hook.
Ashley Hook (L) receiving the KHG lifetime Achievement Award from KHG Chair, Brian Horton.
KHG Chair’s Award
Presented by Brian Horton, KHG Chair and sponsor of the category.
Winner: Helen Miller, KHG Partnership Manager.
Helen Miller (L) in a photo with KHG Chair, posing with her award.
KHG Board’s Special Recognition Award
Presented by Tracey Kerly, CEO, Ashford Borough Council and sponsor of the category.
Winner: Brian Horton, KHG Chair.
Brian Horton recognised by KHG Board. Receives award from CEO, Ashford Borough Council.
Excellence in Asset Management
Presented by Jenna Hicken, South East Consortium, sponsor of the Asset Management category.
Winner: Krystal Reynolds, Golding Homes.
Although unable to attend, Krystal Reynolds sends a message of appreciation.
Highly Commended: Responsive Repairs Team, Thanet District Council.
Associate Professional
Presented by Tony Hughes, Southern Housing, sponsor of the Associate Professional category.
Winner: Pete Fry, Medway Council.
Rachel Valerio (L) accepts the award on behalf of Pete Fry.
Highly Commended: George Taylor, Stephen Simpson, & Tommy James, Ashford Borough Council.
Excellent community project
Presented by Graham Wellard, Case Management Solution Group React, sponsor of the Community Project category.
Winner: Getaway Garden (with Future Skills CIC), Town & Country Housing.
Graham Wellard (in the middle) presents award to Getaway Garden (with Future Skills CIC) one of the winners.
Winner: Jobs Plus, Southern Housing.
Graham Wellard (L) presents award to Jobs Plus, one of the winners.
Highly Commended: High Rise Living Group, Thanet District Council.
Group pose with their highly-commended award.
Excellence in delivering services for vulnerable people
Presented by Tony Hughes, Southern Housing, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), Sevenoaks District Council.
Highly Commended: Elle Bolton, Substance Misuse Pilot, Maidstone Borough Council.
Highly Commended: RISE, Thanet District Council.
Excellence in development and regeneration
Presented by Ellie Park, South East Consortium, sponsor of the category.
Winner: Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Highly Commended: Fortis House, Ashford Borough Council / ZED PODS.
Excellent Housing Professional
Presented by Graham Wellard, Case Management Solutions Group React, sponsor.
Winner: Mandie Stallard, Golding Homes.
Highly Commended: Michelle Jackson, Thanet District Council.
Highly Commended: Sean Richards, West Kent Housing Association.
Sean Richards (R) receives the highly-commended certificate.
Innovator of the year
Presented by Jo Doherty, South East Consortium, sponsor.
Winner: Fortis House, Ashford Borough Council / ZED PODS.
The Ashford team and their CEO, Tracey Kerly accepting the Innovator of the year award.
Highly Commended: Terry Vine, Thanet District Council.
Excellent Partnership
Presented by Graham Wellard, Case Management Solutions Group React, sponsor.
Winner: Medway Winter Project from Medway Council.
Highly Commended: Local Authority Housing Fund Partnership – delivery in motion, Sevenoaks District Council.
Highly Commended: Housing and Community Hub, Sevenoaks District Council.
Excellence in Private Sector Housing
Presented by Tony Hughes, South East Consortium, sponsor.
Winner: ABC Lettings, Ashford Borough Council.
Highly Commended: Maxine Evans, Dartford Borough Council.
Team of the year
Presented by Graham Wellard, Case Management Solutions Group React, sponsor.
Winner: Housing Revenue Account Property Services, Medway Council.
Highly Commended: Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Resident Service, Kent County Council.
Highly Commended: Rough Sleeping Initiative, Gravesham Borough Council.
Unsung Community Hero / Neighbour of the year
Presented by Tony Hughes, South East Consortium, sponsor.
Winner: Sam Bunting, Tenant of Ashford Borough Council.
Sam Bunting (L) receiving award as one of the winners.
Winner: Paulette Giddings, Tenant of Gravesham Borough Council.
Paulette Giddings (L) receiving award as one of the winners.
Highly Commended: Kathy King, Member of Dartford Tenants and Leaseholders Forum.
Kathy King (L) receiving recognition as highly commended
Excellent young professional of the year
Presented by Jo Doherty, South East Consortium, sponsor.
Winner: Ellis Reynolds, Clarion Housing.
Ellis Reynold (R) receiving award as winner.
Highly Commended: Nesrene Boumnijel, Ashford Borough Council.
Nesrene Boumnijel (R) receiving the highly-commended certificate.
Highly Commended: Eleanor McCreadie, Dartford Borough Council.
Eleanor McCreadie (R) receiving the highly-commended certificate.
KHG Awards 2025 Sponsors
Case Management Solutions Group
Representatives from CMSG React at their stand.
South East Consortium
Representatives from SEC at their stand.
Southern Housing
Tony Hughes from Southern Housing.
Becs Wilcox, the event host giving a vote of thanks to the sponsors.
KHG Chair, Brian Horton gives a vote of thanks to attendees.
The Kent Housing Group Events sub group
L-R: Brian Horton, Julia Gavriel, Rachel Valerio, Steven Weihe, Bonnie Sears, Beth Hayes, Nicola Bowen, Sharon Irvine, Helen Miller, Katy Stevenson, Esme Ervine, Bede Uzoegbo, & Becs Wilcox.